If you have an issue with your sewer line in Evanston, your first thought might be to schedule a sewer line replacement. But a backup or break in your line doesn’t always demand a full and complete replacement. If you have a simple problem, there could be an easier way to repair the issue. How can you tell if it’s time for a replacement? If you do need a replacement, you should educate yourself on the process. There are a handful of factors you should consider before you decide to replace your sewer line.
1. Do You See Signs of Replacement?
If you pay attention to your plumbing, you may be able to notice a few signs of trouble in your sewer line. YOu may not need a replacement, but seeing one or more of the signs below indicates that it’s time to call a plumber ASAP. The longer you wait to call, the more likely it is that you will need a sewer replacement.
Drain backups, slow drainage, and gurgling in your drains are all signs of an issue in your sewer line. A foul smell coming from your drains or from puddles in your yard also could spell trouble. Don’t ignore the signs of problems and instead call a plumber to assess the situation.
2. You See Possible Causes of Trouble
Sometimes, you may be aware of issues that could lead to sewer line problems. For instance, you might notice your toddler flush a toy down the toilet. Or, you could see a significant change in temperature. If everything seems to be frozen, the temperature change could have broken your sewer line.
Another obvious cause of the trouble is tree roots invading the pipes. If you see a large tree near your sewer line, you might have roots growing into your sewer line. Of course, the only way to confirm this is to consult with a professional about sewer repair.
3. Results of Your Sewer Line Inspection
Before you do anything, you should call a professional for a sewer line inspection. You can’t possibly know if you need a complete replacement unless you have a plumber look at your plumbing. During the inspection, your plumber will place a camera into your sewer line.
The camera shows them where the blockage or break is and tells them how they should repair it. If the damage is bad, they probably need to replace the sewer line. But this isn’t always the case.
4. Ask If a Repair is Possible
If you hire a plumber and they immediately push for a sewer line replacement, ask more questions. Do they think that a repair is a possibility? You might not know the plumber well, which means you don’t know if they’re giving you all of the options. However, a reputable company will tell you about all the possible fixes for the issue.
With a sewer line repair, the plumber may not need to dig a trench. They might be able to insert an inflatable tube into your plumbing and cover the old pipe in an epoxy resin. As the resin hardens, it patches the sewer line.
5. Understand the Different Types of Replacement
You should also realize that there are multiple types of sewer line replacements. The most difficult type is the traditional sewer line replacement. For this to happen, a plumber needs to make a large trench where the sewer line goes. Then, they replace the entire length of the pipe. This process could require digging out driveways, destroying lawns, and doing other property damage.
If you want a less invasive approach, you may be able to have a trenchless sewer line replacement. Today, most plumbers prefer this method because it doesn’t do much damage to your property. They use a method called pipe bursting to destroy your existing sewer line and replace it with a new one.
At first, this method may seem more expensive. However, it is much quicker than the traditional method and doesn’t ruin your lawn, porch, or other property.
6. The Cost Varies
You can spend hours looking up the cost of a sewer line replacement, but you won’t be able to tell how much your job will cost. This is because the cost varies depending on the technique, the length of the sewer line, and the complications involved. If you want an accurate quote on the work, you need to ask a professional for a quote.
If you have a shallow pipe that requires minimal digging, the cheapest option could be a traditional replacement. There will still be some property damage, so you should factor that into your costs as well. A deeper excavation could cost much more, and a trenchless excavation might be cheaper.
As a general rule, you can expect to pay as much as $250 per linear foot of replacement pipe. Regardless of which method you use, the cost could be as little as a few thousand dollars or more than $25,000.
7. Realize Insurance Won’t Help
Although your home insurance has some benefits, it probably doesn’t cover sewer line replacement. Most policies don’t cover the repairs unless another person caused the damage themselves. While there are some exceptions to this, you shouldn’t count on your insurance to pay for any of the repair.
With that said, you might have a home warranty policy. Some of those policies cover sewer line repairs, but you should look into your policy. There’s a good chance you need to pay for the repair out of your own pocket.
8. The Company Makes All the Difference in Sewer Line Replacement
Whether you need a repair or a replacement, you need the right professional to handle the job. They won’t only care about the money and will instead assess the situation and decide the best way to complete the job.
Before you begin the work, hire a reputable company in Evanston. Make sure they are both licensed and insured, or you could end up losing thousands of dollars and you risk not being up to code. If you don’t know who to trust for your sewer line replacement, contact us or give us a call at J. Blanton Plumbing.